‘Hunger’ duo reunite in ‘Shame’

McQueen, Fassbender reteam on HanWay title

Brit artist-turned-helmer Steve McQueen is reuniting with thesp Michael Fassbender for his second directorial effort, “Shame,” which sales company HanWay Films will introduce to buyers at the Toronto Film Festival, which starts on Thursday.

“Hunger” won the Camera d’Or at Cannes in 2008 and the Gucci Prize at Venice. Pic starred Fassbender as Irish Republican hunger striker Bobby Sands in the infamous Maze prison.

“Shame” is produced by Iain Canning and developed through his See-Saw Films with Film4, which will co-finance the pic. HanWay Films is handling worldwide sales and marketing.

Fassbender will play Brandon, a 30-something man living in New York, who is unable to manage his sex life. The drama, penned by McQueen and “Brick Lane” scribe Abi Morgan, will examine the nature of need, how people live their lives and react to the experiences that shape them.

Lensing will begin in January.

Canning, who was also an exec producer on “Hunger,” said he and See-Saw co-topper Emile Sherman were “thrilled” to be producing a McQueen pic, a helmer whom he described as “not afraid to turn a mirror on the world.”

Sydney-based See-Saw has a first-look deal with Blighty distrib Momentum Pictures and works closely with sister distrib Transmission Films in Australia and New Zealand.

HanWay CEO Tim Haslam said, ” ‘Shame’ will tell a modern story that is deeply honest and provocative.”

McQueen is repped by Casarotto Ramsay and Associates.

See-Saw’s “The King’s Speech,” directed by Tom Hooper is a hot title at Telluride this year and will unspool at Toronto on Friday.